Front-End Development for Interactive Applications Instructor

FRONT-END DEVELOPMENT FOR INTERACTIVE APPLICATIONS (FDIT) INSTRUCTOR
POSITION TYPE: NR2 (50 %)
POSITION START: JANUARY 1, 2026

Faculty Overview:
Imagine working in a new, cutting-edge facility backed by a 30-year history as an industry leader. The Wilson School of Design (WSD), located on our Richmond campus, has eight different programs that encourage students to take risks and innovate in small, personalized classes offering intensive hands-on learning experiences and state-of-the-art equipment. 

Professionals in this discipline are trained to translate static design concepts into dynamic, functional realities, creating responsive websites, mobile applications, and software interfaces that resonate with end-users. Can you picture yourself working with dedicated students and colleagues integrating fusion of artistry and technical expertise, emphasizing effective communication, adaptability, critical thinking, and precision in a collaborative classroom? Come and be a part of our team.  

Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) proudly offers all learners opportunities to achieve success in a diverse range of programs that blend theory and practice, critical understanding, and social and ethical awareness necessary for good citizenship and rewarding careers. 

KPU takes its name from the Kwantlen First Nation. We work, study, and live in a region south of the Fraser River which overlaps with the unceded traditional and ancestral lands of the Kwantlen, Musqueam, Katzie, Semiahmoo, Tsawwassen, Qayqayt, and Kwikwetlem peoples.

Position Overview:
The FDIT program is seeking candidates to be part of a dynamic team in two distinct, yet related areas: Design-related courses and Developer-related courses within the Front-End Development for Interactive Applications program. In the design-related courses, we are looking for individuals with expertise in visual communication, user experience design, and design thinking. These positions will focus on fostering creativity and innovation in areas such as graphic design, branding, and design strategy.  

For the Developer-related courses, we seek candidates with a strong background in software development, web development, and computer programming. These positions will involve teaching courses in programming languages, software engineering, and emerging technologies, with an emphasis on hands-on learning and practical application. While the two roles are distinct, they are interconnected, with opportunities for collaboration and interdisciplinary coursework to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the intersection between design and technology.

We are seeking applicants who are qualified to teach one or a selection of the following courses:

• FDIT 1100 Web Development Foundations
• FDIT 1110 Web Systems Development Methodologies
• FDIT 1120 Design Foundations for Interactive Applications
• FDIT 1130 User Interface (UI) Foundations
• FDIT 1140 User Experience (UX) Foundations
• FDIT 1200 Front-End Web Programming 
• FDIT 1210 Back-End Web Programming
• FDIT 1220 Front-End Development Frameworks & Libraries I
• FDIT 1230 Design Systems for Interactive Applications 
• FDIT 1240 Responsive Design: Principles & Prototyping
• FDIT 2100 Front-End Development Frameworks & Libraries II
• FDIT 2110 Project Management and Performance 
• FDIT 2120 Web Applications Development Project
• FDIT 2130 Motion Design for Interactive Applications 
• FDIT 2140 Design & Development Integration Studio 
• FDIT 2230 Data Visualization for Interactive Applications
• FDIT 2240 Design & Development Capstone

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES
Faculty members of WSD are also expected to contribute and participate in any of the following:  

• Curriculum development and review. 
• Assisting students outside of scheduled class time. 
• Preparation processes and site visits. 
• Service and representation of the programme on various university committees, internally and externally.

More information concerning the working conditions for a faculty member are outlined in Article 12 of the Kwantlen Faculty Association (KFA) Collective Agreement.

Qualifications:
Developer-related courses

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, interactive media, or related fields. 
• Post-secondary teaching experience is preferred, experience in a teaching-intensive post-secondary institution is an asset.
• Minimum of 3 years of software development experience is required, preferably in the last 5 years. 
• Specialized knowledge in Front-End and Back-End Web Programming and Development. 
• Extensive experience with software development frameworks and libraries, and the ability to adapt to emerging technologies.

Design-related courses

• Bachelor's degree in design, psychology, kinesiology, computer science, or related disciplines or academic credentials and experience appropriate to areas of responsibility.
• Post-secondary teaching experience, minimum 3 years preferred, or a teaching credential.
• Experience working in a teaching-intensive post-secondary institution is an asset.
• Minimum of 5 years of design/development work experience.
• Proven track record of leading teams and project management within a design-related industry role.
• Specialized knowledge of graphic design and layout. 
• Extensive knowledge of and ability to work in Adobe Creative Suites, including motion and building animations.
• Extensive knowledge of UX artifacts such as Customer Journey Maps, User Personas, User Scenarios, Information Architecture, User Flows and Prototypes.
• Extensive experience with wireframing, product visual design and prototyping tools.
• Demonstrated in-depth knowledge and understanding of UX design principles, UX research methodologies, UI design and usability guidelines through strong hands-on experience and a compelling portfolio.

Application Requirements:
Candidates are asked to submit: 

• Submit a resume and cover letter (preferably in PDF format) that includes evidence of teaching and/or design experience, as well as scholarly or industry accomplishments. The cover letter should indicate the specific course number(s) and name(s) of interest.  
• Include copies of post-secondary transcripts in your application.  
• Provide a rationale for the selected courses. Course numbers, names, and calendar descriptions are listed below for reference. 

CANDIDATE PROFILE  

• Student focused: Demonstrates appreciation for students and the role of a learner-centered institution. 
• Collaborative: provides evidence of strong interpersonal communication and embracing a collaborative style of working.  A team player committed to fostering consensus building towards the success of the program. Demonstrated teamwork abilities in a creative and collaborative working environment. 
• Leader: Strong academic leadership qualities and experience  
• Organizational skills: diplomatic, consultative, and democratic. Organized, pays attention to details and a multi-tasker; able to manage and prioritize multiple demands and various levels of accountability.  Understands institutional policies and procedures. 
• Strong communicator: effective written and oral communication skills 
• Interpersonal skills: dedicated and reliable; positive and eager; flexible, open-minded, adaptable, and resilient.  Confident, self-directed, pro-active, action oriented, 'can-do' personality.  Embraces diversity. Has a sense of humour.  Dedicated to creating and maintaining a motivational climate and work closely with other faculty.  
• Innovative: a broad, innovative, creative, and big-picture thinker

  

Candidates will be required to demonstrate an understanding of Front-End Development for Interactive Applications as well as their interest and abilities to consult with and represent the program.

COURSE CALENDAR DESCRIPTIONS
Course calendar descriptions can be found at

DEVELOPER-RELATED COURSE-SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS
FDIT 1100 Web Development Foundations, FDIT 1110 Web Systems Development Methodologies

• At least 3 years working in web: either agency or working for a company.
• Experience with developing apps (mobile or web). Should be within last 5 years. 
• Website/ Application development experience.
• Experience working as part of a tech/ development/ engineering team at a company/ agency.

FDIT 1200 Front-End Web Programming, FDIT 1210 Back-End Web Programming

• At least 3 years working in web: either agency or working for a company.
• Experience with developing apps (mobile or web). Should be within last 5 years. 
• Website/ Application development.
• Experience doing Front End Web Development. 
• Experience working as part of a tech/ development/ engineering team at a company/ agency.

FDIT 1220 Front-End Development Frameworks & Libraries I, FDIT 2100 Front-End Development Frameworks & Libraries II, FDIT 2110 Project Management and Performance 

• At least 3 years working in web: either agency or working for a company. 
• Experience with developing apps (mobile or web). Should be within last 5 years.
• Ideally experience with developing design systems (or to an existing design system). 
• Website/ Application development.
• Experience doing Front End Web Development. 
• Experience working as part of a tech/ development/ engineering team at a company/ agency.
• Experience working with a design/ UX team (as a partner)

FDIT 2120 Web Applications Development Project, FDIT 2140 Design & Development Integration Studio 

• At least 3 years working in web: either agency or working for a company. 
• Experience with developing apps (mobile or web). Should be within last 5 years.
• Ideally experience with developing design systems (or to an existing design system). 
• Website/ Application development.
• Experience doing Front End Web Development. 
• Experience working as part of a tech/ development/ engineering team at a company/ agency.
• Experience working with a design/ UX team (as a partner)
• Experience working with a product/ business team (as a partner)

DESIGN-RELATED COURSE-SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS
FDIT 1120 Design Foundations for Interactive Applications, FDIT 1130 User Interface (UI) Foundations, FDIT 1140 User Experience (UX) Foundations

• At least 5 years working in design: UX and UI. 
• Professional experience within last 5 years. Experience can be part of in-house team or agency. 
• Experience having worked as part of a team. 
• Experience with UX and UI design for web.  
• Experience with design for mobile. 
• Experience with mobile iOS and Android (not necessarily native, but design systems).

FDIT 1230 Design Systems for Interactive Applications

• At least 5 years working in design: UX and UI. 
• Professional experience within last 5 years. Experience can be part of in-house team or agency. 
• Experience having worked as part of a team. 
• Experience with UX and UI design for web.  
• Experience with design for mobile. 
• Experience with mobile iOS and Android (not necessarily native, but design systems).
• Experience with design systems (ideally with creation of a design system or contribution to a design system or management of a design system).

FDIT 1240 Responsive Design: Principles & Prototyping

• At least 5 years working in design: UX and UI. 
• Professional experience within last 5 years. Experience can be part of in-house team or agency. 
• Experience having worked as part of a team. 
• Experience with UX and UI design for web.  
• Experience with design for mobile. 
• Experience with mobile iOS and Android (not necessarily native, but design systems).
• Experience with prototyping tools, demonstration of creation of prototypes.

FDIT 2130 Motion Design for Interactive Applications 

• At least 5 years working in design: UX and UI. 
• Professional experience within last 5 years. Experience can be part of in-house team or agency. 
• Experience having worked as part of a team. 
• Experience with UX and UI design for web. 
• Experience with design for mobile. 
• Experience with mobile iOS and Android (not necessarily native, but design systems). 
• Demonstrated experience with motion graphics for web/ app (not just film).

FDIT 2230 Data Visualization for Interactive Applications

• At least 5 years working in design: UX and UI. 
• Professional experience within last 5 years. Experience can be part of in-house team or agency. 
• Experience having worked as part of a team. 
• Experience with UX and UI design for web. 
• Experience with design for mobile. 
• Experience with mobile iOS and Android (not necessarily native, but design systems). 
• Demonstrated experience with data visualization and data visualization plug-ins.

FDIT 2240 Design & Development Capstone
This course has two components: Development and Design. 
For design: 

• At least 5 years working in design: UX and UI. 
• Professional experience within last 5 years. Experience can be part of in-house team or agency. 
• Experience having worked as part of a team. 
• Experience with UX and UI design for web. 
• Experience with design for mobile. 
• Experience with prototyping tools, demonstration of creation of prototypes.
• Knowledge of responsive design. Knowledge of accessible design and accessibility rules.

For development: 

• As above but from a development perspective- must have completed/ run a development team that completed the work listed above.

This competition is for a maximum FTE of 50% (NR2). When possible, priority will be given to the candidate(s) who can maximize the FTE either individually, or collectively, as such please indicate on your application your preferred workload percentage. This competition could also be used to add candidates to our Qualified Faculty List, therefore also please indicate on your application if you are interested in being added to this list.  

*Salary Information:
Placement on the salary scale will be dependent on level of education and relevant teaching experience.  Advancement up the pay scale is based on FTE and employment status.